Rotorcraft Blade Position Tracking via Mobile Camera Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rotorcraft maintenance, particularly rotor track and balance (RT&B), is a high-cost and time-consuming process due to the need for expensive and prone-to-failure specialized equipment, which also requires modifications to the rotor blades, leading to increased maintenance hours and reduced aircraft operational readiness.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using mobile devices equipped with cameras and sensors to capture and analyze images of rotor blades, determining blade position information and displaying adjustment instructions to align the blades into a common plane, thereby reducing vibration and improving balance without the need for expensive specialized equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized equipment is used to perform rotor track and balance procedures, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mobile device with camera to capture images of the rotor blade and creates a digital copy/representation of the blade position. Image processing algorithms analyze the captured images to determine blade position, replacing the need for complex physical measurement equipment while maintaining measurement capability through digital image analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement equipment with an optical/image-based system. Instead of using mechanical sensors or specialized devices attached to the rotor blade, the system uses a camera to capture images and processes these images computationally to determine blade position, substituting mechanical systems with optical and computational approaches
2Measurement precision
If specialized equipment is installed on rotor blades, then measurement capability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to required modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures visual information of the rotor blade through camera images and creates a digital representation. This copying approach eliminates the need to physically modify the blade with sensors or markers, as all measurement information is obtained from optical images that can be processed computationally
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile device with camera as an intermediary between the rotor blade and the measurement system. Instead of directly attaching measurement devices to the blade, the camera captures images that serve as an intermediate representation, which is then analyzed by image processing algorithms to extract blade position information
3Reliability
If extensive maintenance procedures are performed, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement and adjustment procedures with an image-based system. The mobile device captures images of the rotor blade, and image processing algorithms automatically analyze the images to determine blade position and provide adjustment guidance, significantly reducing the time required for track and balance procedures while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service capabilities through automated image processing and analysis. The mobile device automatically captures images, processes them to determine blade position, and generates adjustment instructions without requiring extensive manual intervention or specialized operator training, thereby reducing maintenance time and improving operational readiness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces maintenance costs and time by using portable devices to perform rotor track and balance procedures efficiently, minimizing the need for costly equipment and modifications, thus enhancing aircraft operational readiness and extending its lifecycle.
Implementation Method 1
capturing, by one or more processors, one or more images of at least one rotating blades of a rotorcraft
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain aspects of the disclosure, a computer-implemented method may be used for rotorcraft track and balance. The method may include capturing one or more images of at least one rotating blades of a rotorcraft and analyzing the one or more images of the at least one rotating blades to determine blade information. Additionally, the method may include determining a location of the at least one rotating blades in the one or more images based on the blade information and calculating blade position information based on the determined location of the at least one rotating blade and a parameter of a user device capturing the one or more images. Additionally, the method may include displaying the blade position information to the user device and displaying instructions on one or more adjustments to the at least one rotating blades of the rotorcraft based on the blade position information.